I agree with Neil & msc too. Since WW2 the number of women working has escalated dramatically and, amongst many other things, this has helped push up the price of houses. So now the house prices are up it is more difficult to pay off a house and live on a typical single income; essentially you are competeing with the many couples on double incomes. But the house prices are mostly still cheap (as well as cars, gas & most other things) in the US I think, maybe we should move there.....

I agree with Neil. It is in the best interest of a household, both emotionally and spiritually, if the wife can stay at home (especially if kids are involved). This is a very high priority on my list of specifics if I ever get married--the wife will stay at home if at all possible...working outside of the home will be a last resort.

You must address Titus 2. This woman is not a permanent homebody, but one whose locus of work is the home, and whose ventures into the marketplace are a necessary part of that vocation, per Prov. 31. This hardly fits the modern careerist mentality, which deprecates homemaking as "unfulfilling" drudgery. It is a form of vocational snobbery at least. Careerism overemphasizes outside work at the expense of keeping house.

Obviously there have always been exceptions to the ancient pattern; Lydia was probably a spinster or widow who had to support her household by herself. But such exceptions should not become the rule.

Acts 16:13-15 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." So she persuaded us.

Proverbs 31:24-31 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-23 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. he riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

John Y., not that many people need two incomes in this country. There is the difference between, "I want" and "I need." It is correct conclusion that when women who have been taught to be self-centered in this country, when they get a good income, they not only drop the responsibilities of being a good wife, but caretakera of the extended family.

Quote, "Marilyn Stowe, a female divorce lawyer, suggested that working women had the economic freedom to consider life beyond marriage."

Worship of the god of mammon destroys the marriage covenant!

Remarks like "freedom" and "life beyond marriage" - illustrates the shallow attitude to marriage and relationships today.I suppose this would be the statement of a divorce lawyer touting for more business!!

2Tim.3:1 "..in the last days perilous times shall come....[2] For men shall be ...[3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers..."